training opportunities
What is SECOND CAREER?
The Ontario Government, through Employment Ontario, has made a multi year commitment to increase the skills capacity of Ontario workers.
SECOND CAREER is an innovative tool that will help upgrade the skills of thousands of unemployed workers in Ontario.
SECOND CAREER helps laid-off workers get the skills training they need for high-demand jobs in their communities. The program helps laid–off Ontarians identify and train for new careers in growing and emerging sectors.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Eligible participants are those who have been laid-off on or after January 2, 2005 and includes workers who have taken interim jobs to make ends meet and who require skills training for employment in demand occupations in Ontario.
Employment Insurance ( EI ) eligibility is not a requirement of this program.
It is best to see an Employment Counsellor to sort out all of the exact details and to develop the Return To Work Action Plan information that is required for a successful application.
WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE?
SECOND CAREER is a contribution program that can provide tuition support and assistance with other training-related costs such as books and travel. Additional funds may support people with disabilities, people who need help for academic upgrading, the costs of living away from home or for child care.
Financial assistance is negotiated by / with a ministry reprsentative. Amounts are based on an indivduals action plan and circumstances.
Eligibility requirements & program guidelines do change, so always see a counsellor for the most current information.
WHAT IS THE APPLICATION PROCESS?
All applicants must develop a Return to Work Action Plan, working with their Employment Counsellor.
In the case of the Canadian Career Academy, this is done through our Carleton Place Employment Resource Centre Office, 92 Bridge St., Carleton Place, ON -
613-257-3237.
This is a straight forward process but does involve some time and input by the applicant. The Counsellor will need to know your background and how the training choice makes sense to your longer term goals and objectives. Once the required materials are completed, the application is forwarded to Employment Ontario staff for review and contracting.
Our Employment Counsellors will be pleased to answer any questions you may have and to work with you through the application process.
Every community in Ontario is served by an Employment Assistance Office working with Employment Ontario.
WHAT TRAINING COURSE OPTIONS DO I HAVE?
As part of the process, you will be asked to research training institutions for information on the course that suits your needs. All Ontario Community Colleges offer a variety of approved courses, as well as many of the Private Vocational Schools.
SECOND CAREER training courses are linked to Section B of the NOC CODE
(National Occupation Code). This is a diverse list and it is unlikely that any one school in Ontario offers all courses. Research will show you which schools offer the course relevant to you and from this list you can make your preferred choice.
See your employment counsellor for personal direction and complete details.
HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO COMPLETE THE TRAINING?
Up to 2 years in duration may be considered. In cases where academic or preparatory upgrading may be required as a prerequisite for participation in skills training, the total training period can be extended to a maximum of 3 years.
Program revisions and refinements are ongoing. Information is best sought from your employment counsellor.
RESEARCHING YOUR SCHOOL
When purchasing any training program, the customer needs to be satisfied that the product will meet their needs. This is relevant advice for anyone who is considering an application supported by Employment Ontario or being paid for by student loans or family resources.
If the product promised is not delivered, or if the research has resulted in an improper course selection, valuable time and money are wasted.
- Understand the course curriculum. Is it current and relevant to the trade or field of study that you have chosen?
- Ask for student referrals so that you can get a direct verification on the merits of the course and the school.
- Can you make the commitment of time to complete the training course?
- Speak to employers who might hire candidates from this course.
- Is this course / school widely recognized in the trade. If the credential had little visibility in the marketplace, satisfy yourself as to why this is. Be sure that you are considering unbiased information.
- Verify the success rates of course graduates. If everyone from a very small class has graduated and are happy, is that a large enough sampling of opinion on which to base your purchase?
- Does the school offer job search or placement assistance?
- Does the school offer assistance with co-op placements or job shadowing experiences?
- Does the school offer any form of follow up support services?
- Do you sense that you are being pressured to make a decision?
- Do you understand the course cancellation and refund policies and how this impacts any funding support agreements that you have arranged?
- Have you exhausted your research into the employment sector?
How do you qualify
- Have been laid off from a position due to shortage of work or end of contract after Jan 1, 2005 and still be unemployed or working an interim job or
- Have received maternity or parental benefits and are looking to re-enter the labour force and have no position to return to or
- Have left work due to medical reasons and can no longer perform in their previous occupation and
- Be able to demonstrate occupational demand for training request with evidence of good employment prospects locally or within Ontario.
- Meet a baseline suitability score, using an assessment that measures even criteria including: job search, length of unemployment, educational attainment, work history, labour market prospects, type of training and experience.
Academic Upgrading
If an individual requires upgrading to meet admission requirements to a program of study, both Algonquin College in Perth and T. R. Leger School in Carleton Place offer a variety of courses for academic upgrading. Study only the courses that you need in order to meet program prerequisites or to earn the Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) certificate. This certificate is recognized across Ontario as a Grade 12 equivalency for admission to college and by most employers.
Job Matching / Placement & Job Retention
- Job matching and placement provides the assistance of Job Developer to help individuals who may be having difficulties conducting their own job search. Reasons for such difficulties may include poor work habits, market perception barriers, or interpersonal skills.
- The job developer will work with individuals to match skills and interests with employment opportunities and employer needs.
- Employers may receive financial incentives to provide on-the-job training, including apprenticeship training, work experience opportunities and/or skill level/employability assessments, and job test and higher.
- Job test and higher opportunities allow participants to test a job before accepting in employment offer, and allow employers the opportunity to test the participants skills before making an offer.
Referals to other employent Programs
- Targeted initiative for older workers (TIOW) - provides employment assistance services and employability improvement activities (such as skills upgrading and work experience) two unemployed older workers aged 55 to 64.
- ITO 2.0 -provides a wide variety of services to employers and job seekers including labour market intelligence, labour force adjustments, outplacement, career transition services; specializes in bridging the skills gap between industry employers and high-tech job seekers.
- Opportunities Fund -supports a variety of activities to help people with disabilities overcome barriers that may face as they enter the labour market, including increasing job skills, assisting with special needs when integrated into the workplace,helping with self-employment, and encouraging employers to provide opportunities. Support is availablefor individuals who are not eligible for Employment Insurance benefits.
Other services
- Job search assistance
- Resume and cover letter development
- Employment counseling
- Career decision-making
- Workshops & training sessions
- Labour market information
- Access to local job postings
- Information on community resources and services
- School & training Institute catalogs & calendars
- Information on apprenticeships
- Computer, phone, fax, & Internet access/assistance
Ontario Skills Development (oSD)
While SKILLS DEVELOPMENT and SECOND CAREER compliment each other, there are differences and each program does serve different needs.
OBJECTIVE:
The objective of Ontario Skills Development is to return insured participants to employment as quickly as possible, therefore, the training supported under OSD reflects the shortest route to sustainable employment.
ELIGIBILITY:
Clients must meet certain eligibility requirements as stated by the EI act, but in general, Clients must fall into one of the following categories:
- Currently receiving EI or eligible to receive EI
- Has received EI, or been eligible to receive EI, in any of the past 3 years (Reachback Client)
- received Maternity or Paternity benefits any time in the past 5 years.
- Working with a counsellor will help to determine the eligibility level and as well the direction of use of Skills Development or Second Career programs.
RESTRICTIONS:
Currently:
- Program rules do change so it is best to see a counsellor.
- The skills training supported must provide the worker with the skills necessary for employment, but is not restricted to an occupation in Skill Level B of the Statistics Canada NOC Skills Matrix(2006) [The NOC Code]. Second Career does require that occupations fall within the Level B occupations.
- The total skills training duration is not restricted to a specific minimum duration, however and individual training agreements usually are in the range of 1 year or less. Specific needs will be addressed with a counsellor.
CHOICES:
Applicants are required to research the course choice from two source providers. These include Community Colleges or Private Vocational Schools.
PROCEDURE:
A counsellor can provide more detailed information on all aspects of a Skills Development Application. This is a valuable part of building an effective Return to Work Action Plan.
ONTARIO DISABILITY SUPPORT PROGRAM (ODSP)
This program is administered separately from the general Employment Ontario programs, although funded by the Province.
Participants in this program are typically individuals who face a multitude of employment barriers and require specialized support services such as mentoring, direct employment supports, long term counselling and may also be faced with extenuating health issues. Not all clients assisted by ODSP will be employment ready, however, for those who are, a cautious and planned approach is developed between the client and the ODSP service provider.
Please contact the ODSP program directly for the most efficient information.
CLICK HERE To Visit The ODSP Wesbite!
WORKPLACE SAFETY and INSURANCE BOARD (WSIB)
Most employed workers in Ontario are protected by WSIB insurance which is a requirement of most (but not all) employers. In the event of debilitating injuries, a worker may file a claim for benefits. If the WSIB claim is approved, a range of activity and services will be offered.
Assistance may be extended financial support while off work for a period of time while recouperating. Special medical services may be offered as needed and as well a return to work plan will be developed. In some cases, simply returning to your previous work will be sufficient, in other cases, retraining may be required. In that event, a process will be developed between the client and WSIB staff to assess and determine the appropriate skills needed and the way in which to obtain them. In other extreme cases, a client may not be able to return to work at all and a longer term benefit will be determined, again between the client and WSIB.
The most essential point with workplace safety is to be aware of your working conditions and do not allow yourself to be put into a dangerous situation. Be aware of your personal work habits and assess the work environment carefully.
Please contact the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board directly for exact information.
CLICK HERE To Visit The WSIB Website!
T.R. LEGER ALTERNATE SCHOOLS (Secondary School Diploma)
Throughout much of Eastern Ontario the T.R.Leger Alternate Schools are the primary choice for individuals who need to complete their Secondary School Diploma. These schools mostly attract a mature age student, ones who most often do not feel comfortable attending a regular secondary high school. There is no age restriction and often mature adults will attend. Many vocational programs do require a Secondary High School Diploma as a prerequisite to acceptance.
These schools offer considerable flexibility and have minimal costs associated with their courses. Most locations offer academic upgrading leading to the diploma, some locations offer basic computer courses and other topics.
Please contact the T.R.Leger Schools for exact information. If there is no school in your location, ask your employment counsellor for the nearest campus location.
www.ucdsb.on.ca/trleger
Algonquin College
If an individual requires upgrading to meet the mission requirements to program of study, Algonquin had academic upgrading courses. Study only the courses you need to meet program prerequisites were arm the academic and career entrance (ACE) certificate. This is recognized across Ontario as a Grade 12 equivalency for admissions to college and by most employers.
ONTARIO SELF EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT (SEB)
Many individuals may consider self employment as a viable career choice.
This option can be supported through The Ontario Self Employment Benefit program. This program provides an in depth training period which includes business plan development and mentoring through to implementation.
Participants are encouraged to establish their business and to create income while doing so. Employment Insurance benefits will be extended to help while establishing your business.
Working collaboratively with instruction staff and other clients who also want to establish their own business creates an environment that is supportive and productive. You can learn best practices and an accelerated learning curve on the many steps taken in building you own business.
In the Lanark County area, this free service is provided by VDMA Training & Consulting Inc. - www.vdma.ca
Other self employment and business development supports are offered by:
Valley Heartland/Community Futures
OCRI
Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre
Service Canada
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